$55,150

423

Boy Culture: The Series Reunites the Original Creative Team!

UPDATE: We have reached our goal with less than 40 hours to go! We thank you all so much for your faith and your generosity.

We were taken aback by your enthusiastic response, but we are ready — and we are announcing one final STRETCH GOAL of $60,000.

If we make it to $60,000, it will unlock a seventh episode of Boy Culture: The Series, which has yet to be written. At the end of the campaign, we will ask all of our donors to vote on the subject matter, and we will weight the voting by pledge tiers ... but everyone who gave will have a say!

We plan to involve you as much as possible during our process, too, providing casting news, on-set photos and updates.

THANK YOU AGAIN! Here is the link you can cut-and-paste to share with anyone who might be up for joining our team:

It's the return of the gay-favorite romantic dramedy about a hustler who knows all too well that SEX PAYS, LOVE COSTS — and 10 years later, he's learning even more about life and love.

Help Us Bring Back This Neo-Classic Gay Love Story!

You are contributing to help bring to life Boy Culture: The Series, an innovative, sizzling-hot, funny love story in series/film hybrid form that picks up 10 years after the action of the popular film Boy Culture.

Boy Culture: The Series will push LGBTQ entertainment in a new direction — and early backers like you can help make that happen!

The series will consist of six 15-minute stories, creating a feature-length, 90-minute whole.

Directed by Q. Allan Brocka; with a script by Brocka and Boy Culture novelist/blogger Matthew Rettenmund, and with production by Stephen Israel and Philip Pierce, the sequel will explore themes of sexuality, sex work, age, race, closeted celebrities, cosplay, PrEP, and how gay men can make a committed relationship work in a world where sex — just like your favorite show to binge-watch — is available on demand.

Matthew Rettenmund, Philip Pierce, Stephen Israel & Q. Allan Brocka

Who Are We?

The original creatives have reunited to make Boy Culture: The Series a reality:

Brocka at TriBeCa in 2006

Q. Allan Brocka, director and co-writer: Brocka made his directing debut with the widely admired gay shorts Quenton (Queerbait) and Roberta Loved. He is the creator of the popular Logo animated series Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World and wrote and directed Eating Out, the first gay film to ever spawn more than two sequels. His documentaries Vivid Valley and Camp Michael Jackson display his unique grasp of the emotional impact of pop-culture phenomena.

Allan & Matthew at "Boy Culture's" L.A. premiere in 2007

Matthew Rettenmund, co-writer: Rettenmund is the author of the novel that was adapted into the original film, but Boy Culture: The Series marks his screenwriting debut. He is the author of the books Encyclopedia Madonnica 20, Starf*cker, Totally Awesome ‘80s and many more. He is a photographer and writer who blogs at — where else? — BoyCulture.com.

Stephen with Derek Magyar & Jonathan Trent from the movie, in 2007

Stephen Israel, producer: Israel is one of Hollywood’s busiest filmmakers, and the producer of several gay classics. He made his first big splash in 1994 as a producer on Swimming with Sharks, which launched the career of Kevin Spacey. Along with Boy Culture, he has produced a wide variety of successful films, including G.B.F. with Michael J. Willett, Megan Mulally and Natasha Lyonne; and Helicopter Mom with Nia Vardalos.

Philip during "Boy Culture's" original theatrical run

Philip Pierce, producer: A successful Beverly Hills psychologist, it was Pierce who first optioned Boy Culture for the movies right after it was published, and it was Pierce who kept at it until it became a film nearly 10 years later. Along with Boy Culture, Pierce executive-produced the Web series Evil Shrink with Jennifer Elise Cox, Hamish Linklater and the late Taylor Negron.

Boy Culture: The Series has already lined up top talent for the cast:

Matthew Wilkas as "X"

Matthew Wilkas: A film, television and stage actor and playwright, he is best known for his portrayal of Matt in the award winning film Gayby, as well as for playing Flash Thompson in the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark. He has guest-starred on such series as Looking, Ugly Betty, EastSiders and Hope & Faith. He has also become extremely popular on Instagram, posting short comedic videos. Most recently, he appeared on the cover of Out Magazine’s annual “Love Issue” with his boyfriend, Olympian Gus Kenworthy, and co-wrote, co-produced and co-starred in the Web series New York Is Dead, which premiered at the TriBeCa Film Festival in 2017. He will be taking over the lead role as "X."

Darryl Stephens as Andrew

Darryl Stephens: The man who played sexy, hot-and-cold Andrew in the original Boy Culture will recreate his role. Stephens is best known as the star of the Logo original series Noah’s Arc and the resulting film Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom, and he has appeared in over a dozen other features, including Another Gay Movie, Beyond the Lights and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday. He has guested on many TV series, and was the star of Logo’s controversial DTLA.

Matt Crawford as Chayce

Matt Crawford: Better known by his legions of online followers (253K on Instagram alone) as "Daddy Crawf," Crawford is a vlogger, model, Underwear Expert ambassador and jewelry designer for Jaeci.com who will be making his acting debut with a major role in Boy Culture: The Series, playing a social media-savvy young hustler who challenges "X" at every turn.

Stephen Guarino: Bringing his comedic brilliance to a key supporting role in Boy Culture: The Series is this out actor with a huge following thanks to his work on The Big Gay Sketch Show, in the wildly popular BearCity film series and in his most high-profile role to date, as stereotypical-on-steroids Derrick on both Happy Endings and Marry Me. He made big impressions in the Web series Hustling and EastSiders. He is currently one of the writers and stars of Logo’s Gay Skit Happens, and is appearing in Showtime's new series I'm Dying Up Here.

Other parts in Boy Culture: The Series will be cast when funding is secured.

The cover of the original novel (1995)

The Original Book and Movie

Boy Culture began life as a novella written by Matthew Rettenmund and turned in as his thesis to graduate from the University of Chicago in 1991.

A few years later, it was published by St. Martin’s Press and became a gay bestseller that has remained in print for over 20 years.

Featuring a sharp-tongued escort known only as "X," the edgy novel presents a classic love triangle as a stand-in for the state of ‘90s gay sex and romance. After many years as an emotional zombie/sex machine, "X" grimly discovers that his unapologetically boy-crazy roommate Joey is falling for him at the same time "X" is unexpectedly falling for their straight-ish roommate Andrew.

The novel, arranged as a series of confessions, also contains a rare depiction of an elderly gay man’s sexuality in the form of "X’s" complicated relationship with his mysterious client/mentor Gregory… and a twist ending that really pays off. Filled with steamy situations, pop-culture references and one-liners to beat off the band, Boy Culture quickly became a best-selling gay title.

Original "Boy Culture" movie poster (2006)

In 2006, filmmakers Stephen Israel, Philip Pierce, Victor Simpkins and Phil Lobel produced the critically acclaimed movie version of the novel, directed and co-written with Pierce by director Q. Allan Brocka.

Derek Magyar & Patrick Bauchau in "Boy Culture"

In Brocka and Pierce’s script, the object of "X’s" thawed-out desire was rewritten as a gay black man, adding a new dimension to the story that expanded its appeal.

Starring Derek Magyar as "X," Darryl Stephens as Andrew, Jonathon Trent as Joey and veteran actor Patrick Bauchau as Gregory, Boy Culture debuted on April 1, 2006, in London and was a smash hit at the TriBeCa Film Festival and at Outfest, where it won a Grand Jury Award for Best Screenplay.

Darryl Stephens as "Andrew"

Boy Culture played in over 30 cities nationwide and was shown in every major territory in the world. The film has been a popular draw on Netflix and other streaming services, and a strong seller on DVD for TLA Video.
Reviews for Boy Culture have been extremely positive, including a 71% “Certified Fresh” rating at RottenTomatoes.com.

Crawford & Stephens at Matt's final callback

The New Series

Boy Culture: The Series is not a typical sequel. In many ways, it is more adventurous, outrageous and unconventional than the feature that inspired it.

Ten years after the drama of Boy Culture, "X" and Andrew — who were a couple when we left them — have broken up after a move to L.A., so are back where they started: They’re roommates with way too much chemistry.

"X," out of hustling for years, is getting back into it, but finds himself rusty about how the business works. Hilariously, he is unwillingly taken under the wing of Chayce, a barely-legal twink who is ruthlessly up to speed on how to sell what he’s got.

Who says millennials are afraid of hard work?

In no time flat, this snarky kid is leading headstrong "X" around by the nose, and it’s a dynamic that the grumpily insecure, almost-over-the-hill-but-still-hot "X" never saw coming.

Get this cool shower curtain with your $130 pledge!

Boy Culture: The Series consists of six snappy, 15-minute episodes, each focusing on a different trick and exploring a different topic.

#1 “Marriage Equality”: Keep in mind, the last time "X" turned a trick, gay marriage hadn’t even come to one state, let alone all 50.

#2 “Larry Shippers”:
Guess who? Don't sue.

#3 “The N-Word”: Race ya to the bottom!

#4 “The Women”: Giving ladies' choice a whole new meaning.

#5 “The Surprise”: You must be at least this tall to ride this ride.

#6 “Comic-Book Hero”: There’s no dressing up the fact that HIV is still every sex worker’s kryptonite.

Get these Ginch Gonch "BC" briefs for a $120 pledge! (See rewards.)

Throughout the series, "X" and Andrew’s off-again relationship is coming to a head — will they get back together, or decide to stay apart for good?

Meanwhile, Chayce is on hand to mess with "X’s" mind and to attempt to insert himself into the situation by inserting himself into "X’s" ex.

Get the signed pic at left for $65, or at right for $60!

In short, Boy Culture: The Series has even more sex, love, laughs and drama than the original. It’s like A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later … except it’s A Man and a Bunch of Men: 10 Years Later!

Why We Need the Money We Need + The Rewards

The creatives have many years of experience in putting together feature films, films for TV and TV shows. Brocka wants to recreate the look of the original Boy Culture, and knows exactly how to do it — and how much it will cost.

Get all this for an $80 pledge! (See rewards.)

Our budget will allow us to hire actors and crew, shoot in appropriate locations and produce a polished series that will function as a stand-alone project, a slick pitch for a regular TV series and possibly even an episodic feature film of 90 minutes.

How Else You Can Help

We are all ears when it comes to suggestions for things and even actors you’d like to see in Boy Culture: The Series. Also,if you’re in the industry and are interested in this project, we’d love to hear from you:

boyculture2series@gmail.com

Thank You!

Thank you so much for your time and attention, and thank you so much if you decide to give money toward our effort.

Get this Spanish poster for a $75 pledge! (See rewards.)

Please give what you can — we hope to surpass our goal — and please share the link to this project far and wide!

Risks and challenges

With the entire original creative crew in place, all of whom have 10+ more years' worth of experience since the original film dropped, there are no major hurdles in our way once we secure funding.

We anticipate a smooth and short filming process, and our producers are already exploring appropriate (and exciting!) ways of presenting this Web series to the world.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Pledge $50+

You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a digital version of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $65 or more
About $65

Pledge $65+

STEVE GRAND AUTOGRAPH SPECIAL! You will receive a signed pic of Steve Grand (non-personalized, first 25 get shirtless option, second 25 get equally hot non-shirtless option) + special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a digital version of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

Pledge $75+

You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a digital version of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a folded Spanish one-sheet poster from the original "Boy Culture" release (pictured in the main body of the Kickstarter pitch!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $80 or more
About $80

Pledge $80+

You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a digital version of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a group of ephemera from the "Boy Culture" movie's initial release, including original magazines and foreign promotional cards (pictured in the main body of the Kickstarter pitch!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $90 or more
About $90

$90+

You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a digital version of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + an original, 2007 "Boy Culture" movie poster!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Pledge $100+

You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a digital version and a DVD of the completed film signed by Q. Allan Brocka and Matthew Rettenmund upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a "Boy Culture" special-edition poster (28" X 40") from the original film's release!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $120 or more
About $120

Pledge $120+

You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a digital version and a DVD of the completed film signed by Q. Allan Brocka and Matthew Rettenmund upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a size MEDIUM pair of vintage 2007 promo-only Ginch Gonch "Boy Culture" briefs and a size MEDIUM T-shirt!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $125 or more
About $125

Pledge $125+

You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $130 or more
About $130

Pledge $130+

NEW REWARD: An amazing shower curtain (see pic at left) featuring the original BOY CULTURE movie poster! These limited-edition items are courtesy of Instagram @magicalshowercurtains and will not be created in any larger editions! Also: You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Pledge $150+

Take part in an exclusive, hour-long, online chat with Darryl Stephens or Matt Crawford. You (along with however many other backers there are) can ask them about the project, their careers, anything goes! Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $175 or more
About $175

Pledge $175+

AUTOGRAPH SPECIAL! You will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series + an AUTOGRAPHED (non-personalized) 8"X10" photos of Matthew Wilkas, Darryl Stephens & Matt Crawford.

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Pledge $200 or more
About $200

Pledge $200+

ATTENTION Q. ALLAN BROCKA FANS: Here's one just for you! You will receive a personalized video greeting from Allan. It can be a birthday or anniversary greeting, or anything you like... within the boundaries of good taste. Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

Pledge $250+

BE AN EXTRA IN ONE OF THE SCENES AND RECEIVE AN ACTING CREDIT. (Transportation to and from, and lodging in, Los Angeles are not provided.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

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Pledge $300 or more
About $300

Pledge $300+

TAKE A MEETING WITH THE FILMMAKERS! Here is your opportunity for a one-on-one with Q. Allan Brocka (L.A.) or Matthew Rettenmund (NYC). Ask anything you want about breaking into the business, pitch your ideas, or receive news from the set. Available as a one-on-one Skype meeting if you are not in L.A. or NYC. Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $350 or more
About $350

Pledge $350+

RECEIVE A VIDEO GREETING FROM THE ACTOR OF YOUR CHOICE. It can be a birthday or anniversary greeting, or anything you like... within the boundaries of good taste. Must be an actor named in this Kickstarter. Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

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Pledge $500 or more
About $500

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A MEETING WITH EITHER PRODUCER STEPHEN ISRAEL OR PRODUCER PHILIP PIERCE, WHO WILL READ AND DISCUSS A FILM PROJECT YOU'VE BEEN DEVELOPING. Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

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Pledge $600 or more
About $600

Pledge $600+

Blogger for a day! You will control the content of our co-writer Matthew Rettenmund's BoyCulture.com blog for 1 day, from 8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET. You can direct which news stories are linked, can provide an essay you want to world to read, can plug your own projects/videos — the gay world is your oyster. On a mutually agreed upon date, you will be able to supply your materials or thoughts to the blogger, who will post everything for you. Nothing too racy and nothing politically or otherwise abhorrent to the blogger will be accepted, but products, ads, movie reviews, you name it — most everything else is A-okay. Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

Pledge $750+

MEET DARRYL STEPHENS IN L.A. FOR LUNCH! (Travel & lodging not included. Must work with Darryl's schedule.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $800 or more
About $800

Pledge $800 or more

Attend an exclusive, private, Labor Day Weekend barbecue party with director & co-writer Q. Allan Brocka! Hang out with and ask advice of this industry veteran — and help him celebrate his birthday. (No travel or lodging included. Must be available Saturday, September 3, in the L.A. area. Each pledge includes a guest.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

Pledge $1,000+

WALK THE RED CARPET AT OUR PREMIERE! 2 TICKETS TO THE L.A. PREMIERE, WHERE YOU WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THE CAST. (Transportation to and from, and lodging in, L.A. not included.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

Pledge $1,500+

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER ON-SCREEN CREDIT! Plus: WALK THE RED CARPET AT OUR PREMIERE! 2 TICKETS TO THE L.A. PREMIERE, WHERE YOU WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THE CAST. (Transportation to and from, and lodging in, L.A. not included.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,750 or more
About $1,750

Pledge $1,750+

Have one of our producers read and provide a detailed critique of your movie script! Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

Pledge $2,000+

Have your non-fiction book or novel (up to 300 double-spaced pages) read and content-edited by our co-writer, novelist Matthew Rettenmund. Includes proofing. Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

Pledge $2,500+

GET READY FOR YOUR ACTING DEBUT: A SPEAKING ROLE IN THE WEB SERIES (minimum of one line of dialogue) WITH ON-SCREEN CREDIT! Plus: WALK THE RED CARPET AT OUR PREMIERE! 2 TICKETS TO THE L.A. PREMIERE, WHERE YOU WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THE REST OF THE CAST. (Transportation to and from, and lodging in, L.A. not included.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

Pledge $5,000+

CO-PRODUCER ON-SCREEN CREDIT! Plus: WALK THE RED CARPET AT OUR PREMIERE! 2 TICKETS TO THE L.A. PREMIERE, WHERE YOU WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THE REST OF THE CAST. (Transportation to and from, and lodging in, L.A. not included.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Pledge $10,000+

CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ON-SCREEN CREDIT! COME MEET THE CAST AND CREW DURING PRODUCTION! Plus: WALK THE RED CARPET AT OUR PREMIERE! 2 TICKETS TO THE L.A. PREMIERE, WHERE YOU WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THE CAST. (Transportation to and from, and lodging in, L.A. not included.) Plus, you will receive a special THANK YOU on the film's website + email updates + a DVD of the completed film upon its commercial release + an on-screen THANK YOU in the end credits of the final film + a PDF of the production draft of the series!